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University President William Powers Jr. signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking for a greater focus on education spending from his administration and the United States Congress.

The letter addressed a growing innovation deficit occurring in American schools because of decreasing federal investments in education and cuts caused by sequestration. The letter calls for Obama to reject budget cuts and emphasize substantial and long-term investments in research and education that can better secure the nation’s economic and academic future.

"Because the innovation deficit undermines economic growth it harms our nation’s overall fiscal health, worsening long-term budget deficits and debt. Investments in research and education are not inconsistent with long-term deficit reduction; they are vital to it," the letter says.

The letter was signed by 193 University leaders, including UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and the presidents of other UT campuses, and the effort behind the letter is led by the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

President William Powers Jr. named Greg Fenves the University provost Thursday. Fenves was the dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering, and this is what he’ll be expected to do in his new position.

The provost is supposed to make sure the concerns and goals of deans, department chairs, faculty and staff reach Powers, and that information from Powers gets back to them.

The provost is also to put into action recommendations on how to improve the University academically. The provost receives reports from the Commission of 125 that includes many former UT System Regents. Recommendations have included a focus to develop a new undergraduate core curriculum and to establish a more demanding standard for leadership of academic departments and research centers.

Fenves is replacing Steven Leslie, who was provost for six years. Leslie has said he wants to return to teaching. During his term the responsibilities were expanded to not only oversee academics but also financial aid and. the registrar.

Greg Fenves, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering, has been appointed as the next provost of the University of Texas

The provost is a position that typically deals with academic, research and curriculum affairs. Fenves is entering the position at a historical and dramatic moment for the University. UT has just started building the Dell Medical School, which Fenves will play a crucial role in. The University's leaders are also seemingly at odds with the UT System's Regents, who lawmakers have accused of trying to fire UT President William Powers Jr.

Fenves said in a press release that his top prority is to build upon the University's foundations of academic excellence.

“These include strengthening the connections of our undergraduate students to the knowledge-creating communities in departments and programs, increasing the number of highly ranked graduate programs at UT, recruiting and retaining world-class faculty, and building the Dell Medical School as the leader for 21st century medicine and health care delivery," Fenves said. "By meeting these objectives, UT can offer unmatched opportunities for our students, the state of Texas and our nation.”

In the same release, Powers praised Fenves.

“Greg Fenves is exactly the right person for the job,” Powers said. “He has led initiatives to improve research competitiveness, undergraduate retention and graduation rates, international and entrepreneurship programs, and fundraising for the Engineering Education and Research Center. He has the skills and experience to advance UT in many key areas."

Fenves is replacing current Provost and Executive President Steven Leslie. Leslie has served as the provost since 2007, and announced this past spring he was stepping down.

UT's Harry Ransom Center has acquired the archives of the McSweeney's publishing company, which contains manuscripts of books, essays, short stories, correspondence from many writers and award-winning design materials.

The McSweeney's publishing company was formed in 1998 by Dave Eggers, an American writer who most recently published "A Hologram for the King."

"We're very happy to have the McSweeney's archive at the Ransom Center," Eggers said in a press release. "McSweeney's is celebrating our 15th anniversary this year, and we've had the honor and pleasure of publishing hundreds of authors, established and upcoming, while navigating the choppy seas of independent publishing."

The archives include correspondence with writers David Foster Wallace, Michael Chabon, Heidi Julavits and more.

Correction: This blog has been updated to reflect the correct date that the McSweeney's publishing company was formed.

Starbucks’ locations around the country will get a Google upgrade beginning in August to improve customer Wi-Fi speed.

Starbucks spokesperson Lily Gluzberg said customers can expect the new Wi-Fi service to roll out to more than 7,000 company-operated stores in the United States. The new service, partnered with Google, is set to make connection speed 10 times faster.

Starbucks and Google are working with Level 3 Communications to make the faster speeds available.

The upgrade will be implemented over the next 18 months. Gluzberg could not provide information on upgrades in the Austin area.